Written Answer to PQ on Compliance of home-based F&B business operations with manpower regulations

NOTICE PAPER NO. 15 OF 2025 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 24 SEPTEMBER 2025

QUESTION NO. 57 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Yip Hon Weng

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how does the Ministry ensure compliance with regulations prohibiting the involvement of migrant domestic workers or engagement of illegal part-time workers in home-based F&B business operations; (b) over the past three years, how many of such businesses have been inspected and found to have violated manpower regulations; and (c) what penalties are imposed on such errant employers.

Answer:

MOM issues regular reminders to Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) employers and MDWs that it is illegal for employers to deploy their MDWs to work for their own businesses, including home-based businesses. MOM also follows up on all complaints from the public and MDWs, and leverages random house visits to uncover illegal deployment of MDWs in home-based businesses.

2. From 2022 to 2024, MOM investigated 19 cases involving MDWs or foreigners working illegally in home-based businesses. Of these, 7 employers were issued with warnings, while 2 other employers were fined. The remaining cases were unsubstantiated. Employers who illegally deploy their MDWs may be liable to a fine of up to $10,000. They may also be barred from employing MDWs.